Ann Orlowski

The American Regionalist movement of the 1930’s set out to depict life as seen through the eyes of the rural Midwest painter, a nostalgic look at the pre-industrial landscape. Regionalist artists longed for a pure representation of life untouched by the industrial revolution. These artists portrayed an idealistic view of the world they lived in, beautiful rolling hills and quite depictions of small town life. In contrast, Ann Orlowski's work presents a much different view of life in the Midwest. Orlowski seeks to depict the unavoidable impact our modern way of life bears on the world around us. Taking an intentional look at the industrial age as it paves a path through the countryside. Rather then deny the influence humans have on the land, she works with that influence; exploring how beauty can still be found in a landscape covered by strip-malls and highways.